The Creepiest Objects in Our Collection
At English Heritage, we care for more than a million historic objects across England — including more than 27,000 books, 1,400 paintings and 15,000 animal remains.
We've scoured our catalogues to pick out five of the most sinister objects from English history.
Read on, if you dare...
Napoleon's Death Mask
APSLEY HOUSE, LONDON
This death mask, in the collection at Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner, depicts the face of Napoleon shortly after his death in 1821. Death masks of notable people were often madeas a record of the person’s face, so that it could be recreated by painters and sculptors later on.
Apsley House was home to the Duke of Wellington who held many items belonging to his enemy, Napoleon. The mansion is also home to portraits of the French Emperor and an enormous statue depicting him as the Roman god Mars, but perhaps none quite as morbid as the death mask.
Visit Apsley HouseMemento Mori Pendant
RANGER'S HOUSE, LONDON
Dating from around 1500 and part of the Wernher Collection, this ivory statuette is thought to have been made in Flanders, in modern-day Belgium.
It’s an example of a type of object found across the span of history, from the ancient world up to the late 19th century. Taking the form of paintings, objects or even items of jewellery, their purpose was to remind the viewer or wearer of their own mortality — and the importance of remaining virtuous before judgement. An inscription around the young woman’s head translates as “alas, I must die.”
Visit Ranger's HouseEtched Hangings
DOVER CASTLE, KENT
Newly discovered and displayed in 2024, this Georgian door is covered with carved graffiti made by soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. Among the etchings are nine macabre depictions of hangings with figures drawn beneath crude, hangman-like gallows.
These may be depictions of real hangings which took place at Dover Castle. One drawing shows a hanged man in a military uniform, possibly a representation of Napoleon himself.
The door is displayed as part of the new Dover Under Siege experience at Dover Castle.
Visit Dover CastleLead Coffins
FARLEIGH HUNGERFORD CASTLE, SOMERSET
These eight sinister person-shaped caskets lie in the crypt beneath Farleigh Hungerford Castle in Wiltshire. Made from lead, they contain the remains of the Hungerford family who occupied and partially built the castle we see today.
The coffins contain bodies embalmed (or “pickled” if you like) in spirit. The bodily shape of the coffins themselves is not purely decorative, since they were never intended to be seen publicly, but serve the practical purpose of keeping the remains intact.
Visit Farleigh HungerfordCat Skeleton
RICHBOROUGH ROMAN FORT, KENT
Known affectionately to the archaeologists who found it as Maxipus, this almost complete skeleton of a cat was uncovered on the edge of a ditch at Richborough Roman Fort.
Maxipus was purposefully buried, a common practice for pets in Roman times. The skeleton of a hound, thought to be a guard or hunting dog, can also be seen at Lullingstone Roman Villa in Kent.
The newly revamped museum at Richborough is filled with remarkable artefacts excavated during the last 100 years, from delicately crafted hairpins to statues to Roman gods.
Visit RichboroughHALLOWEEN EVENTS
Find ghoulishly great-value days out this October half-term!
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GHOST TALES
Join our storytellers as they guide you on a journey through the past, with tales of ghosts, supernatural sightings and horrors from history. Over-16s only!
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WOODLAND WALKS
As the days shorten and the evenings grow darker, join our ghost-hunting storytellers on a family-friendly walk through the shadows of historic gardens.
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HALF-TERM HORROR
Enjoy ghoulishly good days out at our half-term events. Gather round for tales from our spooky storytellers and solve creepy clues in the Halloween Quests.